Bylaws
of
Friends of Nepal - NJ, Inc.
Friends of Nepal-NJ 
Friends of Nepal (FON-NJ) will be registered as a non-profit Organization in the State of New Jersey, USA.  FON-NJ will be involved in the promotion of the social and cultural heritage of Nepal.  It will also explore educational opportunities for the children of Nepal. FON-NJ’s activities will be dedicated to increasing communication amongst people who are interested in Nepal and its culture.
ARTICLE 1. THE ORGANIZATION:
1.1. The name of the organization shall be: “FRIENDS OF NEPAL- New Jersey” 
1.2. Abbreviated form of the organization name shall be ”FON-NJ”
1.3. The organization will be a non-profit, non-governmental, charitable organization with tax-exempt status.
ARTICLE 2. THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
2.1. To promote awareness of Nepalese culture and to strengthen ties of friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation with various non-profit/charitable organizations.
2.2 To preserve the cultural heritage, traditions and customs of Nepal.
2.3. To promote Nepalese arts, literature, music, dances and customs
2.4. To provide educational opportunities for needy children in Nepal or the children of Nepalese origin.
2.5. To provide assistance to increase welfare of the under privileged people of Nepal and the people of Nepalese origin.
2.6. To provide assistance to people of Nepal and people of Nepalese origin at time of emergency need.
ARTICLE 3. THE ORGANIZATIONAL STUCTURE: 
3.1 The Organization will comprise of the following:
3.1.1. The General Members
3.1.2. The Executive Committee
3.1.3. The Advisory Board
3.2. The General Members: The General Members shall consist of all due paying members of the organization.  It is the main body of the organization.  The General Members will elect the members of the Executive Committee.
3.3. The Executive Committee: The Executive Committee is an elected body which will be responsible for planning, managing, monitoring and implementing the basic function of the organization.
3.3.1. The Executive Committee shall have a total eleven members and will comprise of the following:
3.3.1.1. President - 1
3.3.1.2. Vice President – 2
3.3.1.2.1. Vice President – Development
      3.3.1.2.2. Vice President - Communication
3.3.1.3. General Secretary - 1
3.3.1.4. Treasurer - 1
3.3.1.5. Members – 6
      3.3.1.5.1. Chair of Women and Youth Affairs Committee – 1
      3.3.1.5.2. Chair of Organization Development Committee – 1
      3.3.1.5.3. Chair of Cultural Activities Committee – 1
      3.3.1.5.4. Chair of Communication Affairs Committee – 1
      3.3.1.5.5. Chair of Project Development Committee – 1
      3.3.1.5.6. The First Past President
3.3.2. The term of office of the Executive Committee shall be of two years except of the First Past President.  The term of the First Past President will expire when replaced by a new retiring President.
3.3.3. Officers shall not serve more than two consecutive terms for same post.  Under unusual circumstances, Election Committee may over rule this limitation and nominate an individual for an additional term.
3.3.4. President has authority to approve resignation of any member of Executive Committee if member resigns before completing two year term.  If President resigns before completing the term, resignation has to be approved by majority of the Executive Committee.
3.3.5. If an executive member, including President, is considered and adjudged by majority of the Executive Committee as someone working against the interest of Friends of Nepal-New Jersey, such member will be warned and given first notice to improve their conduct within 3 months.  In 3 months, if two-third of the Executive Committee still finds conduct unsatisfactory, the member may be expelled from the Executive Committee.
3.4. The Advisory Board: The Executive Committee shall nominate maximum of 2 individuals to advisory board per year.  Advisory board members shall serve for four years.  An individual can be nominated to Advisory Board unlimited time.  Additionally, the Second Past President shall automatically become a member of Advisory Board.
ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP:
4.1. Any individual wishing to join the organization can do so by applying to join and agreeing to abide by the Constitution of the organization.  No one shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, nationality, color, caste and creed or sexual orientation.
4.2. Following are the types of membership:
4.2.1. General Member: All individuals who pay annual dues become members of the organization for two years and will be called the "Member" of the organization. 
4.2.1.1. Individual Member – Any one 18 years or older
4.2.1.2. Student Member – Student attending educational institutions
4.2.2. Life Member: Any member wishing to be a life member of the organization can do so by paying a one time due determined by the Executive Committee.  He/she shall be called "Life Member” of the organization.  A Life Member shall have all the privileges of a General Member.
4.2.3. Honorary Member: FON-NJ awards honorary membership to those individuals or organizations whose contributions are essential to attain the main objectives of the organization.  Honorary members are not eligible to vote; however; they can participate in the general body meeting. The executive committee shall nominate individuals or organizations for honorary membership.
4.3. Termination of General Membership: If a member is considered and adjudged by majority of the Executive Committee as someone working against the interest of Friends of Nepal-New Jersey, such member will be warned and given first notice to improve their conduct within 3 months.  In 3 months, if two-third of the Executive Committee still finds conduct unsatisfactory, the member may be expelled from the organization.  This has to be approved by majority in General Meeting.
ARTICLE 5. RIGHTS AND DUTIES:
5.1. Rights and duties of the members of the Executive Board and other office bearers are:
5.1.1. The President: The president will be responsible for overall operation of the organization.  He/She shall put every effort into achieving the aims and objectives of the organization.  He/She shall chair Executive Board meetings.  He/she shall form and dissolve committees for various activities as needed for the development of the organization's program.  He/She must see that all decisions made by the committee are made by majority vote.  In case of a tie, he/she shall cast the deciding vote.  He/she shall see that the records of all activities are kept in proper order according to the Constitution and the law of the land.
5.1.2. Vice President - Development: He/she shall assist the President in all manners possible.  He/She will be responsible for developing annual programs in coordination with the President and other members of the Executive Board.  By order of the President he/she shall chair various meetings and activities and represent the organization in various venues.  In case of absence of the President and authorized by the President or the Executive Board, Vice President shall assume the role of the acting president with full power and responsibility of the President.
5.1.3. Vice President - Communication: He/she shall assist the President in all manners possible.  He/She will co-ordinate public relation, communication and cultural activities of the organization in coordination with the President and other members of Executive Board.  By order of the President he/she shall chair various meetings and activities and represent the organization in various venues.  In case of absence of the President and authorized by the President or the Executive Board, Vice President shall assume the role of the acting president with full power and responsibility of the President.
5.1.4. General Secretary: He/she will be responsible for all administrative activities of the organization and must work in consultation with the President and the Vice President.  He/she shall keep track of all records of all organization activities.  He/She shall keep the meeting minutes and circulate them within one week of the meeting.  He/She will call all General and Executive meetings as advised by the President.  He/She will be responsible for preparing annual report and present it at the annual general meeting.  He/She shall see that the organization is properly registered with the local government and keep it up-to-date.
5.1.5. Treasurer: He/She shall be undertaking all activities in relation to the financial and monetary aspect of the organization.  He/she shall keep track of all revenue and expenditures records, donations dues etc.  He/she shall present the annual income and expenditures report at the annual general board meeting of the organization.  He/She will be responsible for conducting an annual audit maintain the books in order according to the law of the land.  He/She will be responsible for fund raising activities of the organization.
5.1.6. Member – Chair of Women and Youth Committee: He/She will work on activities geared towards women and youth members of the organization.  He/She will also closely work with Chair of Project Development Committee to prepare development projects for women and youth both in the US and Nepal.  He/She will supervise all FON-NJ run projects in women and youth development.
5.1.7. Member – Chair of Organizational Development Committee: He/She will spearhead FON-NJ activities to strengthen FON-NJ as a viable and vibrant organization in NJ.  This will include membership drive, fund raising activities, collaboration with other organizations of similar interest, and outreach to communities.
5.1.8. Member – Chair of Cultural Activites Committee: He/She will co-ordinate and organize cultural program in FOF-NJ activites.  He/She will also organize and promote Nepali culture in NJ by attending different programs and organizing cultural events.
5.1.9. Member – Chair of Communication Affairs Committee: He/She will handle communication to members and others that will include maintenance and enhancement of FON-NJ web site, editing/co-ordinating FON-NJ newsletter publication, news bulletin, and also serve as a public relation liaison of FON-NJ in the US.
5.1.10. Member – Chair of Project Development Committee: He/She will co-ordinate with other executive committee members and outside organizations/individuals to prepare future project proposals for submission to external funding.  He/She will also serve as a key member of all FON-NJ funded ongoing projects.
5.1.11. Member – The First Past President: He/She will serve the executive committee and perform duties as advised by the President. 
5.2. Rights and Duties of the members of the Organization
5.2.1. General Members of the organization have the right to cast 1 vote to elect the members of the Executive Board.  He/she shall be called upon to vote on issues such as constitutional amendments and other matters.
5.2.2. He/she may appoint a proxy to cast his/her vote but this has to be done as per rules and regulations defined by the Executive Board.
5.2.3. A general member can floor the vote of no confidence to remove the Executive Committee or a member of the Executive committee, or any other committee or individual of office by submitting written petition with signature of at least 25% of the voting members to the general meeting. The Vote of no confidence has to be approved by 67% of the voting members of the organization in order to be implemented.
5.3. Rights and Duties of Members of the Advisory Board:
5.3.1. All members of the Advisory Board shall serve as a source of advice, experience and information for the President, the Executive Board and all other members of the organization. They are only a consultative board and shall not do anything to influence any activities of the organization such as election or other policy matters in direct or indirect way.
 
ARTICLE 6. MEETINGS:
6.1. To carry on all functions of the organization, the following categories of meeting shall be conducted:
6.1.1. General Meeting: The Executive Committee shall call one general meeting for all its members every year.
6.1.2. Executive Board Meeting: The Executive Committee shall call at least two meetings of the executive board annually.
6.1.3. Emergency General Meeting: The Executive Committee shall call an emergency meeting of the general body as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee reflecting any need and urgency of the matter at hand to be discussed with all members.  All such meetings have to be approved by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 7. QUORUM:
7.1. Quorum for Executive Committee Meeting: A Minimum of 51% of the members of the Executive Committee must be present in person or by proxy in order for the meeting to be valid.  Proxy votes must be sent to the President in writing (email/fax/voice is acceptable).
ARTICLE 8. VOTING VALIDITY:
8.1. Even though all members of the community are members of the Organization, each member has to be registered in order to vote for or be elected to an office.
8.2. Member has to be minimum eighteen years of age before he/she can register as a voting member.
8.3. Voting by Proxy shall be valid as per rules and regulations setup by the Executive Committee.
8.4. Voting in the annual general meeting shall be conducted as per majority vote.  A Minimum of 51% of the vote cast must be obtained for any issues to be approved.
8.5. Voting for election by mail or by e-mail will also be valid as members come from all over the country. The validity of the mail-in votes will have to be verifiable and confirmed as per rules and regulations setup by the Nomination/Election Committee.
ARTICLE 9. ELECTION PROCESS:
9.1. Every two year Election will be conducted to form a new Executive Committee.
9.1.1. The President with the approval of the executive committee shall constitute a fully independent Nomination/Election Committee four months prior to the election date.
9.1.2. Nomination/Election Committee shall be responsible for conducting a full and fair election.  The election process should be transparent and fully disclosed and explained to all members of the organization.  The Nomination /Election Committee shall formulate all rules and regulation to conduct a fair and democratic election.
9.1.3. The election shall be conducted by a secret ballot voting and the detailed result shall be announced by the Nomination/Election Committee.
9.1.4. All registered voting members are eligible to exercise his/her basic right and shall cast one vote.  In case of the contested election the candidates will have to obtain at least 51% of the vote cast to win the election.
ARTICLE 10. THE FUND:
10.1. A fund for the organization shall be created to conduct various activities of the organization through the membership dues and donations.
10.2. The fund shall be generated from donations and membership dues received from various members, well-wishers and benefactors of the organization and income from various activities and program undertaken by the organization.
10.3. A bank account shall be opened in the name of the organization and will be operated by the Treasurer and the President of the Organization.
10.4. For general activities of the organization, an executive member or authorized individual can incur expenses that are under US$ 200.00 with President’s approval (verbal/electronic approvals are acceptable).  Expenses over US$200.00 will require approval from majority of the Executive Committee (written/email approvals are required).
ARTICLE 11. CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
11.1. An individual should not serve in the Executive Committee of FONNJ if his/her participation in other organization can compromise to FONNJ principles.  If there is any doubt of this, all individuals should bring this to attention of the Executive Committee for its decision.
ARTICLE 12.  CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENTS:
12.1. To reflect the need, aspiration and changes that might occur in the working of the organization, amendments of the constitution can be undertaken as and when necessary.
12.2. Proposal to amend the constitution can be floored at the annual general meeting by any member of the organization in a written form.
12.3. Proposed amendments are to be put to vote in general body of the organization.
12.4. In order for the amendments to be approved a 67% vote of members present in general body will be required.
ARTICLE 13. ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION:
13.1. This Constitution was passed by 67% of the members present in the first General Body Meeting of the Organization